TD to keep job despite Kenny fury over letter

Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins is to keep his job despite the Taoiseach accusing him of directly intervening in the judicial process by urging a judge to let a drug dealer avoid jail.

Party leader Micheál Martin said that while he did not believe TDs should get involved in criminal proceedings, Mr Collins had acted out of “compassion”.

The Limerick TD said he wrote the letter appealing for leniency to ensure it was known the mother of the guilty man’s four children had taken her own life.